How Do Athletes Overcome Self-Doubt?
Articles Summary
Self-doubt appears when you chase goals you’ve never reached. Many athletes let doubt limit their belief and effort, while confident athletes look for evidence that progress is possible. Improvement in training, past success, or stronger focus all prove potential for growth. Like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, elite athletes face doubt but choose belief and preparation. To overcome self-doubt, build a case for your progress, stay consistent, adopt a growth mindset, and surround yourself with people who reinforce confidence.
If you have never achieved a particular standard, ranking, or time in the past, what makes you think you can in the near future? This question is at the very heart of accomplishment and achieving new heights in sports.
Let’s look at a golf and swimming example:
Sabrina A. is a D-I golfer who hits her tee shots 200 yards. Sabrina wants to add 15 yards off the tee. What evidence is there to make her think or support the notion that she can drive the ball 215 yards when she has never accomplished that feat in the past?
Todd D., 17, wants to qualify for senior nationals in the 200 freestyle. He achieved his junior national cut last season but is 3 seconds away from a senior national cut. What evidence exists to make him think that a 3-second drop is not only possible, but probable?
A self-doubter may think, I’ve never accomplished this feat before, I probably won’t achieve it now.” Many self-doubters use the phrase “I’m just being realistic” to justify their beliefs.
With a self-doubt mindset, how likely do you think it is that an athlete will put in the necessary work and really go for their goal? Conversely, athletes with a go-for-it mindset take a different approach and find relatable evidence to support their belief that they can achieve a new standard.
What evidence can you use to support that you can achieve a future standard?
There is plenty of evidence, such as the achievement of past goals, refining technique, implementing new training regimens, incorporating mental skill work, overcoming past adversity, increasing functional strength, improving flexibility, better strategic planning, or practicing against tough competitors.
When you look for evidence to support your ability to accomplish new standards, you will be more willing to take risks, try new methods, and put in the necessary work.
Let’s look at the example of U.S. track and field athlete Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. McLaughlin-Levrone holds the world record in the 400-meter hurdles and is only .19 seconds away from the world record in the 400-meter sprint.
At the 2025 World Athletics Championships, McLaughlin-Levrone was asked if she would ever consider competing in the demanding double 400-meter Hurdles and the 400-meter sprint, if the schedule allowed, and if she thought it would be possible to win both.
MCLAUGHLIN-LEVRONE: “Yeah, there’s been a lot of talk of doubles. ‘Is it possible’ is one thing, and do I want to do it is another. I think anything is possible, it’s just a matter of what are my goals, what am I setting up to do? I want to put myself in the best position possible to be the best I can be. Those are two really hard events with really great fields. You cannot discredit any of those women. That’s a big undertaking.”
Doubt is quite common when you’re aiming at a standard you’ve never reached before. Even world record holders have their moments of doubt. What separates highly successful athletes from the rest is how they handle those doubts.
If you accept doubt as fact, you build a practically insurmountable obstacle that holds you back from your potential.
Setting new standards requires processing doubt and finding the evidence to support achieving new heights. Always remember that your potential has less to do with past athletic standards and more to do with your ability to adapt, refine your methods, and keep showing up.
4 Strategies to Overcome Self-Doubts and Achieve New Standards
1. Build a Case for Yourself
Confidence grows when you have real evidence of your ability. Keep track of every measurable improvement—stronger lifts, faster times, refined mechanics, or smarter decision-making. These data points prove that progress is possible. When doubt creeps in, review your record to remind yourself how far you’ve come. Reflecting on your growth reinforces belief that more progress is within reach. Every gain, no matter how small, becomes proof that your work produces results.
2. Take It One Day at a Time
Big goals can feel overwhelming when you focus too much on the finish line. The key is to break goals into daily, manageable steps. Each training session is a deposit toward your future performance. Consistency, not perfection, builds results. When frustration hits, focus on what you can do today—show up, give effort, and complete your plan. Small, steady progress creates momentum and confidence. Success comes from commitment to the process, not from expecting immediate breakthroughs.
3. Adopt a Growth Mindset
Athletes with a fixed mindset see limits; those with a growth mindset see opportunities. Replace “I can’t” or “I’ve never done this” with “I haven’t done it yet.” This small language shift keeps your focus on improvement instead of fear. View mistakes and setbacks as information, not failure. Each challenge reveals what needs adjustment. Growth-minded athletes learn, adapt, and improve because they believe effort leads to progress. The more you practice this mindset, the faster doubt loses power.
4. Surround Yourself with Belief Builders
Your environment influences your confidence. Spend time with people who encourage growth, not those who feed negativity. Coaches, teammates, and parents who reinforce belief help you stay focused during tough times. Seek feedback from those who challenge you to improve and remind you of your capabilities. Positive support builds accountability and motivation. Protect your mindset by keeping your inner circle filled with people who see your potential and push you toward it.
FAQ: Overcoming Self-Doubt
1. Why do athletes experience self-doubt?
Self-doubt often appears when you aim for a goal you’ve never reached before. It’s a natural response to uncertainty and pressure but becomes harmful when it limits belief and effort.
2. How can I build confidence when I’ve never achieved a goal before?
Look for evidence of growth—better technique, consistent training, and overcoming challenges. Progress from the past proves that improvement is possible in the future.
3. What is the biggest danger of self-doubt?
When you accept doubt as fact, you lower your effort and avoid taking risks. Doubt becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that blocks progress.
4. How does a growth mindset help?
A growth mindset shifts your focus from what you haven’t done to what you can still achieve. Replace “I can’t” with “I haven’t yet.” This keeps motivation high and effort consistent.
5. Why is daily effort important to overcome doubt?
Confidence grows from consistency. Small wins over time create evidence that you can handle pressure, improve, and reach higher standards.
6. What role do others play in overcoming self-doubt?
Surround yourself with people who believe in your ability to grow. Supportive coaches, teammates, and parents help reinforce belief when you question yourself.
7. Can top athletes also struggle with self-doubt?
Yes. Even elite performers like Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone experience moments of doubt. What sets them apart is their ability to manage those thoughts and stay focused on preparation and goals.
Related Sports Psychology Article
- 4 Strategies to Deal with Doubters
- 4 Mindsets to Feel Comfortable at a New Arena
- 5 Ways to Deal with Athletic Setbacks
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